DETROIT COMMUNITY SAILING CENTER
AT THE BELLE ISLE BOAT HOUSE
The Detroit Community Sailing Center is a community-based organization, open to the public, offering youth and adults the opportunity to learn to sail and enjoy Detroit's rich marine environment. We are located at the historic Belle Isle Boat House (formerly known as the Detroit Boat Club) on Detroit’s picturesque Belle Isle. Participants can enjoy Detroit’s waterways and learn to sail without the cost and time commitment of boat ownership. Instructors with years of experience teach using our fleet of Optimist, Club 420, Flying Scot, and Interlake sailboats. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3).
The Detroit Community Sailing Center has been created from the expansion of the long running Challenge the Wind Youth Sailing Program. Our mission continues unchanged:
The Detroit Community Sailing Center has been created from the expansion of the long running Challenge the Wind Youth Sailing Program. Our mission continues unchanged:
Our Mission:
Making Detroit’s waterfront and sailing accessible to those who otherwise may not get the opportunity
Making Detroit’s waterfront and sailing accessible to those who otherwise may not get the opportunity
Programs
Youth Sailing- Challenge the Wind
Our youth sailing program is known as Challenge the Wind. Kids ages 10-17 learn how to sail in small boats on the Detroit River during a two week summer session (or more!). In keeping with our mission, program fees are heavily subsidized in order to remove cost being a barrier to the sport and expanding access for all.
Our youth sailing program is known as Challenge the Wind. Kids ages 10-17 learn how to sail in small boats on the Detroit River during a two week summer session (or more!). In keeping with our mission, program fees are heavily subsidized in order to remove cost being a barrier to the sport and expanding access for all.
Water Safety- Detroit Swims
In 2022 we partnered with the nonprofit group Detroit Swims. They provide free water safety lessons to local youth, and we work together to provide these lessons to our youth sailing students. Participation is highly recommended for this incredible program.
In 2022 we partnered with the nonprofit group Detroit Swims. They provide free water safety lessons to local youth, and we work together to provide these lessons to our youth sailing students. Participation is highly recommended for this incredible program.
STEM in Sailing
This youth program is designed to explore the relationship between sailing and principles of science, technology, engineering, and math. These STEM principles are the basis of how sailing works, and generate curiosity about how the world works.
This youth program is designed to explore the relationship between sailing and principles of science, technology, engineering, and math. These STEM principles are the basis of how sailing works, and generate curiosity about how the world works.
After School Sailing
Sailing isn't just limited to summertime! In September of 2022, we began an after school sailing session to give our youth sailors an opportunity to sail more often and enjoy being on the water.
Sailing isn't just limited to summertime! In September of 2022, we began an after school sailing session to give our youth sailors an opportunity to sail more often and enjoy being on the water.
Other Youth Programs
-In July of 2022, the educational program Inland Seas brought their tall ship to Detroit. Our youth sailors had the opportunity to go for a sail while exploring their on board science programs. We hope to take advantage of this opportunity again.
-Board member Deneen Garrett coordinates with Hampton University to help provide our youth with a sailing opportunity at a collegiate level.
-In July of 2022, the educational program Inland Seas brought their tall ship to Detroit. Our youth sailors had the opportunity to go for a sail while exploring their on board science programs. We hope to take advantage of this opportunity again.
-Board member Deneen Garrett coordinates with Hampton University to help provide our youth with a sailing opportunity at a collegiate level.
Adult Learn to Sail
Detroit Community Sailing has partnered with the Detroit Boat Club and we are providing sailing lessons for adults. Throughout the course, students learn the basics of sailing and have the opportunity to earn a skipper's card. With a skipper's card, students will learn next steps to continue sailing, including use of our boats on the river. A beginner and intermediate course is available.
Detroit Community Sailing has partnered with the Detroit Boat Club and we are providing sailing lessons for adults. Throughout the course, students learn the basics of sailing and have the opportunity to earn a skipper's card. With a skipper's card, students will learn next steps to continue sailing, including use of our boats on the river. A beginner and intermediate course is available.
Race Crew Training
Adult students in this course sail on our keelboat, a Tartan 10 named Macho Duck. Sailing is throughout the summer and they compete in local area racing. Students learn the mechanics of a larger boat, and how to race on a regular basis.
Adult students in this course sail on our keelboat, a Tartan 10 named Macho Duck. Sailing is throughout the summer and they compete in local area racing. Students learn the mechanics of a larger boat, and how to race on a regular basis.
Volunteering
Our program is successful due to countless volunteers. There are many ways to give back to the community- instructing, help with our maintenance/ launch team, assisting with the youth program, donations of equipment, and financial contributions. It is thanks to people like you that we are able to make our waterways more accessible.
Our program is successful due to countless volunteers. There are many ways to give back to the community- instructing, help with our maintenance/ launch team, assisting with the youth program, donations of equipment, and financial contributions. It is thanks to people like you that we are able to make our waterways more accessible.
Stay Up to Date
Sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date on events and what is coming next!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @detroitcommunitysailingcenter
Sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date on events and what is coming next!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @detroitcommunitysailingcenter
The PDF below is our annual report from 2021.
| 2021 Annual Report |